A devoted (obsessed) 18 year old girl's views on all-things Yankees, and other random thoughts

Yankees Return to Winning Ways Against the A’s

Yankees Bounce Back From Loss and Win to End Homestand

After a tough loss to the A’s, the Yankees wasted no time in picking up another W. My fears about them going on a long losing streak are gone now. I think this team has a drive that I have not seen in years, and I know that they won’t have a long bad stretch. Anyway, Sergio Mitrre made his second start for the Yanks yesterday.

Pitching Analysis: I thought Sergio Mitre was pretty good yesterday. The numbers don’t really show it, though. He went 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits and stirking out 1. But, I think he did well for the following reasons: He did not walk a batter, he did get into a few jams but was composed enough to get his double plays to get out of them, and Joe Girardi gave him a very early hook. He only pitched 5 innings, but he only threw 74 pitches. I guess after Pettitte’s game Joe didn’t want to take any chances. Still I would’ve let Mitre go at least 6.

Mitre gave up 2 runs in the first, but had an easy 2nd and a 3rd of only 4 pitches! In the 4th with 1st and 3rd with no one out, Mark Ellis hit a sac fly. After a misplay on a double play ball, Mitre does get a beautifully turned 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and the threat. In the 5th, Orlando Cabrera (the annoying guy of the series) leadoff with a single, and Mitre followed by getting a 6-4-3 double play, his 3rd double play of the day.

After allowing a single to Kurt Suzuki to leadoff the 6th, Girardi pulled Mitre for Coke, who gave up the lead with a 2-run homer for Ellis. Mitre couldn’t get a win. Hughes pitches the 7th and as always was invincible, but in the 8th he ran into trouble. He got into a 2nd and 3rd 1 out jam, and Girardi called on Bruney to get 1 out. I was screaming at the TV when he did this. But despite his late struggles, Bruney got Mark Ellis to strike out. Yes! Then Mo came in for a 4 out save, and of course he got it! Overall, nice pitching. The pitchers were tough when they faced a jam, and for the most part got through the jams.

Defensive Analysis: The Yankees made Mitre’s outing better by fielding all his grounders well. The 3 double plays they turned were a great help to Mitre. Although a double play was booted, it did not matter because in the play after it they got the double play. The defense was solid yesterday.

Offensive Analysis: Everyone in the Yankees lineup got at least 1 hit yesterday. Jeter at the top and Ransom and Melky at the bottom contributed a lot yesterday. After Mitre gave up 2 in the first, the Yankees bounced back with 4 in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to a huge bases clearing double by Cano, who usually struggles in those situations. In the bottom of the 6th, Melky walked and Ransom doubled, and the Yankees had 2nd and 3d with 1 out. The Yankees had the same guys on base in the same scenario in the 4th, but failed to push a run across. Not this time. Jeter single in 2 runs, and Tex singled in Damon later on.

The Yankees got contributions from everyone in their lineup yesterday, and got the big hit enough times to win. The pitching and defense were solid enough for the win as well. What more could we ask for? The heroes for yesterday’s win were Derek Jeter for his go-ahead single, Robbie Cano for his clutch double in the first, and Brian Bruney. Although he only got 1 out, it was a huge out that put the ball in the hands of the greatest closer in baseball. And it was a huge out for his confidence. Great game yesterday. The Sox lost, so the Yankees regained the game they lost the other day. The Yankees have a tough road trip ahead of them, but they look to continue their hot streak and push away the Red Sox even more. Go Yanks!

15thtee: Thanks for getting back to me so soon! I have not been to the new stadium either, even though I live in NY. Times are tough. It’s cool how you travel like that. I hope you are right about the Yanks and the AL East! Maybe we will get #27 this year! I appreciate you visiting my blog!

Hey,
I got a chance to check out your blog. Very, very nice. Time for the Yanks to get on another role, big test for them on this road trip.
Thanks for checking out my blog.
-NYColemanhttp://colemannewyork.mlblogs.com/

Hey southernbelle!
I think you’re right about Mitre. His performance looked sloppy but behind all that it wasn’t so bad. Hopefully he just builds up experience and gets better with time. I think all we can ask for is what we’ve been getting lately: well-played, good old-fashioned small ball. It seems to be doing the trick. Let’s hope we get three in Tampa!

Wow, you guys got us bad tonight. What a horrible start to the 3-game series. I was hoping for a nice tight competitive game. A blowout was not in the plans. We really need to take these next two or else our future in October is going to look mighty dim. Ugh.http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com

*Thanks for checking out my page – as long as you’re a Yankees fan, you’re on my team. Last night we blew the Rays apart 11-4… and with Sabathia on the mound tomarrow, I expect nothing less than another slaughter. We’re on fire right now…

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